Shock absorber



Feb. 9 1926.

E. VAN DER PYL SHOCK ABSORBER Filed Sept. 10. 1923 dwdra'vVqn derzl/ r @KM Patented Feb. 9, 1926.

unirsi) STATES EDWARD VAN DER PYL, or HOLDEN, Massaal-Inserita sroozr ansonnnn. Y

Application filed september To @ZZ 1202107.11 fit may concern.:

`lie it lfznown that I, EDWARD VAN una lr'n, a citizen of the yUnited States of simericzn residing at Holden, in the count-y et fillorcester and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Shock Absorbers, of which the tollowing a `full` clear, and exact :specification AMy invention relates to shock absorbers tor vehicles and more particularly to a de- 'rire oit the type described `in my Patent No.

'1,467,986 dated CSeptember ll, '1923.

A shock absorber of the diaphragm type comprises an open-ended casing and an iinpervious deformable diaphragm secured thereacrof". In the form illustrated in my paient, this diaphragm is secured rigidly to one vehicle part and the casing is connected to the other for a rocking motion transversely ot the vehicle. Side thrusts are readily absorbed because the rocking motion permits the casing to take such a posi- .tion that the .movement of the diaphragm is substantially normal to its plane ot support. 'lfhcre however is a tensional strain on the diaphragm material due to this side sway of the vehicle and the diaphragm is likely to be disrupted thereby. n

ft is he general object. of my invention to provide a shock absorber oli' the dia- ],ihragm type which will be economical to manufacture and will give a long` life ot service, and particularly to improve the construction of the diaphragm and toso arrange it relative to the 'casing that the danger of disrupt-ion due to tensional strains within the diaphragm material may be minimized.

It is a further specific object to improve the construction ot the shock absorber described inWl my prior patent, and to provide an arrangement of diaphragm, air casing and associated parts which will ohviate the diliiculties heretofore met.

It a 'further object of my invention to provide a means of fastening the diaphragm to its support which will prevent relative movement therebetween and to simplify and render less expensivethe method of manu- Yliacturing the various parts of the device.

With these and other objects in view as will be apparent in the following disclosure, my invention resides in the combination of 10, 1923.` Serial No.,-661,731.

parts set forth inthe specilieation and covered by ,the claims appended hereto.

,Referringmto the` drawings in which like reference. numerals indicate `like parts j:

Fig. l is a iront elevation, partly broken.

away, of my shock absorber; v

VFig. 2 1s a similar view of a side elevation;

i E 1g. a. topi plan view, partly'brolfen away, showing the. diaphragm; .Y r

v Fig. t isaragmentary enlarged vvertical sect-ion of the dia hra m' 7 Fig. Ti is a fragmentaryhorizontal sectional View, partly `broken away, ot a modilied type of diaphragm ;l

. Y Fig. t3 is an enlarged sectionaldetail showing the manner of fastening the perch tothe diaphragm; Y i

A Fig. 7 isa vertical elevation of a modified form of thev fastening bolt; and

. Fig. 8 is a section on the" line 8--5S of Fig. 7.

In accordance with one phase of my ini vention, I provide a shock absorber oit the diaphragmf'type in which the diaphragm secured `across theopen end ot the casing is so constructed that tension'al strains due to any transverse motion of the casing will not disrupt lthe diaphragm .material which is reinforced by cords or strands of yarn or tlielike extending as'cords from one portion of the `supported circular pe-A riphery o'l the `diaphragm to an opposite portion, These strands are encased in rubber and may be made in accordance with well v known methods.

Referring particularly yto the drawings illustrating my preferred embodiment, I have there'shown a shock absorber casing l() otbell shape, across the open circular mouth of. which is secured `the diaphragm l2. F or convenience in manufactnreiand assembling, `ther diaphragm which is disk shaped may have perforations 13 formed therein adjacent its edge, and it isclainped to the lower flared portion 14 of the bell by means of a clamping ring1`5` which has an annular portionlG arranged to' fit with# in a flange 17 depending from the bell which serves to prevent access of water to thediaphragm. The portions Hand 16 are pertorate'd in localities corresponding with the openings 13 in theV diaphragm, andwbolts 18` r l.1 o this end I make the diaphragm of a flexible or deformable material,V such as rubber,`

are inserted therethrough and tightened to clamp the diaphragm adjacent its periphery therebetween. It desired, annular grooves 19 may be struck up from the material lof the clamping portions in order to aiiiord a further gripping surface upon the diaphragnr Tn order to mount the diaphragm on one ot the vehicle parts, such as the running gear, I may employ anarrangementi similar to that shown in my prior *patent which comprises a perch`25 adapted to Vbe rig'idly fastened to the running gear. The upper end of this perch is provided with an enlarged rounded surface capable of presenting a large area for supporting the diaphragm. This construction may comprise a dome 27 bolted to the upper vend of the perch. This dome, as illustrated in Fig. l, is so shaped aslto present an increasing surface area for contact with the ydiaphragm as the casing moves downwardly.

It is necessary to fasten the diaphragm iixedly to the perch and dome in such a manner as to prevent the escape of air. To

thisl end and in accordance with my pre-` ferred construction I provide the dome 27 with a central aperture bounded by a downwardly extendingflange 28 shaped to present a conical surface which is adapted to lit into a conically shaped counterbore 29 in the perch25, which communicates. with the opening 30 formed therein for the passage of a bolt. Y .Y

The diaphragm illustrated consists'of two layers 35 and 36. The upper layer 36 is impervious toair and is preferably lmade of rubber. The lower layer is provided to g'ive strength to the diaphragm. A*In order to fasten the diaphragm centrally to its support, I prefer to clamp the'diaphragm, dome and perch together by means of a bolt; To prevent the diaphragm. from being compressed Vdetrimentally orthe parts becoming loosened by usage,I provide al .particular construction for this purpose. Thisvbolt V40 has an enlarged head 4l located between the layers 35 and 36 of the diaphragmV and is of such size and shape relativey to the upper surface ot the dome that it will serve to clamp` the under layer 36 between the extended portions ot the head 41 and the dome 27. A leather disk 421 may be placed -between the bolthead and the layer 36 to receive the direct pressure of the bolt head. In order to preventthe bolt from squeez- V'ing the diaphragm material together too opposite sides of the bolt and are adapted to engage similarly shaped openings in the diaphragm and the domein orderto correctly locate the dome and diaphragm rela- Ytive to the perch.

Vmaterial between the dome and the head 4l of the boltbut at the same time permit the diaphragm layer 36 to be secured tightly between the leather disk 42 and the dome.

.A slight modification of the bolt shown in Figs. 7 and 8 comprises makingthe flanges 43 substantially rectangular' in cross section like`al key and not'in the form of a wedge as illustrated in Fig. 6. In this form the key extends into a similarly shaped slot cut in the perch, and the diaphragm opening. f l

ln order to support the vehicle body from the casing, T provide ring l5 lwith two downwardly projecting ears 50. As an expediency of manufacture, I form these ears Separate from the main body of the ring and secure them thereto by suitable means, such as rivets 51. The conically shaped ring l5 is provided with an inwardly turned ilange 52 and the`earsk50 are formed with ianged portions 53 bent outwardly to tit against the inner walls oit the ring 15 and its flanged portion 52, as illustrated par` ticularly in Fig. 2 of the drawings.

A bushing 54, about which the spring end 55 may be pivotally mounted, is carried on a bolt 56 which passes through and issecured Vto the `rears 56. To prevent the bolt and the vbushing turning relative to the ears 50, the. `bolt is provided with keys 57 which intertit in suitable slots 53 -and 59 in the bushing and the ears respectively. Year pieces `GO may be tiXed to the ears as i1lustrated. Y

The tensional strains on the diaphragm due to the rocking motion of the casing are in the general direction of the line @Pa ot Fig. 3 and transverse to ythe direction ot' travel of the vehicle. InV the courise ot my experimentation, I have found that it is not desirable to employ as a reinforcement for the diaphragm any form ot woven fabrics which have strands running at right angles to each other; since these strands, owing to the constant movement withinl the diaphragm, tend to wear one another out where they cross, and since those strands which run parallel with theline. of tension tend to resist movement ot the diaphragm and become stretched or otherwise act to prevent the diaphragm giving a long lite of service.

I have found .that-,it is advisableuto employ reinforcing cords or Strands of twistedyarn arranged a cross the diaphragm from one portion of the periphery to another, and I prefer to use. two or more layers of these cords t iii which the strands in one layer lie at an angle to those in :mother layer. To avoid subjecting these cords todirect tensional strains .I prefer to arrange them at an angle to the direction of tension rcaused by the relative swinging movement between the casing and the diaphragm.

In the. embodiment illustrated, I ar -ange these strands at an angle to aline running `transversely of the running gear, or atan angle to the rocking motion ofthe casing shown in my patent. '.lwo or more layers of these cords or strandsare arranged angularly with respect to each other, and are preferably so placed that none are parallel with the line of motion of the casing and so are not subjected to direct teiisional lstrains; although if desired,a further layer of cords extending in this direction maybe `employed to supplement the .other layers of Aterial. This may comprise layer G2 containing parallel strands of rubberized cord G3 running in the direction illustrated.. A similar rubberized layer 64 contains cord strands G5 running at rightangles to cords A layer 6G of rubber may forni the under surface of the diaphragm. If fiirther reinforcements are required I may em-V ploy a further layer 67 in which the cords (5S run at right angles to the line (wat, it being obviousthat .any tensional strains in this direction a-at will not affect the cords but that cords 68 will serve to strengthen the diaphragm.

In accordance with a modification we may forni the diaphragm ofy a multiplicity of layers in whichthe'strands of adjacent layers are at right angles to each other, 'and this. arrangement may be duplicated a necessary number of times to 0ivethe ydesired strength. As shownl in Big. 5 the under layer 'TO of rubber has superimposed thereon a layer 7l having cords running. in the direction shown. Above thisV is a layer 72 haring cords at right angles to those in layer Tl, and above layer 72 are further layers 73 and Til with their strands parallel with those of layer 7l and @respectively It will be obvious that these layers need not be actually separated from one another but that in the manufacturing,operation they may be merged into a single reenforced fabric 36 as shown in Fig. 4l.

By forcing air into the casing l() tl'iroiigh a suitable valve L75, such asis employed` on automobile tires, a sullieient pressure may be obtained to ysupport the car body and ail'ord desired resiliency to withstand the shocks of the road. The diaphragm which is normally a flat-disk may under this pressure assume a distorted shape, as shown in Fig. l,4

but it is intended that it return 'when the pressure is released to a substantially planey disk form. As the diapliragm support moves up and down relative to the casing and as the latter' rocks, the strains are absorbed easily by the fabric of the diaphragm, and owing to the arrangement of the reinforcing cords` a large degree of flexibility and resiliency is obtained which permits the diaphragm to give under shocks 'without becoming per- .inaneiitly stretched. @ther advantages will be apparent to one `who is skilled in this art.

Each pair of bellfshaped casings is mounted on the. ruiming gear in such afashion that their center lines, which are normal to the diaphragms, slope downwardly andtowards each other. K'lhis is accomplishedlby tilting each perch E25 relative to the support` ing part 76 of the running gear and giving the casing a suitable angular position capable of counteracting ythe tendency for the car body to oscillate late ally i Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by means of Letters Patent is: i

l. A shock absorber for relatively movable vehicle parts comprising an `'open-ended casing, a. diaphragm secured thereacross, means to connect the casing with one vehicle part, a support for the diaphragm connected with the other vehicle part, and aclamping deif'ico to fasten the diaphragm against said support which has a stop adapted to engage the support and prevent the diaphragm from being compressed to a detrimental extent '2. A shock absorber for relatively movable vehicle parts comprising a hollow casing having an open end, a clampingqring, a diaphragm, means to secure the diaphragm bei tween said ring and casing across said open end, asupport for the diaphragm mounted on one vehicle part,ears attached to said ring, and a bushing non-rotatably fastened to said ears, said bushing serving'as pivotal connection between thev casing and the other vehicle part.

3. A shock Aabsorber for two relatively ii'iovable vehicle parts comprising an open ended casing, a'ilexible diaphragm disk, fas-v tening means to secure the disk at its periphphragm secured across said open end to formV an air container therewith, said diaphragm having layers of substantially parallel reinforcing cords angularly arranged with re.- spect only to those in another layer and material rontiguous thereto which'is impervious to air.

In combination with a vehiclehaving a running gear and a body,'a shock absorber therebetween comprising an open-ended casing and a flexible diaphragm secured across said open end'to form ana'ir container therewith, said diaphragm comprising air impervious flexible material and layers of reinforcing cords arranged parallel with one another-in each layer and Vat an angle to a line runningv transversely of the running gear.

6. A pneumatic shock absorber for relatively movable vehicle partsfcomprising an open ended casing, a flexible diaphragm secured across said open end to form an air container and means to mount said casing on one vehicle part and the diaphragm on the othervehicle part which permits relative rocking motion between the diaphragm and casing and places a transverse tension in one direction on the diaphragm, said diaphragm being reinforced solely by non-contiguous cords arrangedv at an angle to said line of tension.

7. A pneumatic shock absorber for rela-y tively movable vehicle parts comprising an open ended casing, a diaphragm secured across the open end of the casing and forming an air chamber therewith, and means connecting said casing and diaphragm with said vehicle parts which permits the casing to rock and subject the diaphragm to tension in one direction, said diaphragincomprising an impervious flexible layer and a reinforcement of layers of `non-contiguous cords extending across the `diaphragm in ,differentdirections relative `to eachother and at an angle to the direction of tension.

S. A pneumatic shock absorber for relatively movable vehicle parts comprising an open-ended casing and a flexible diaphragm secured across said open end'to form an air container therewith, and -means to mount said casing on one and diaphragm on thev other of thel vehicle parts `which permits the casing to rock relative to the diaphragm, said diaphragm having a plurality1 of layers of parallel reinforcing cords, the cords in one layerV being non-contiguous to those in another layer and at an angle relative thereto and the sets of cords in each layer running only in one general direction, whereby frictionV due to one cord rubbing onanother is avoided.

9. A pneumatic shock absorberA for relatively movable vehicle parts, comprising a casing having a circular opening, a diaphragm, means to secure the diaphragm adjacent its periphery across said opening to form an air` impervious container therewith,

means to connect the diaphragm and the casing to said vehiclefparts, and means permitting air to be vpumped under pressure into said casing, saiddiaphragm compris? ingair impervious flexible material and angularly arranged reinforcingA strands Aeach extending as a :cord from one portion of the secured periphery of the diaphragm to an opposite portion. f

l0. A pneumatic shock absorber for relativelymovable vehicle parts, comprising an open end casing, a flexible diaphragm secured across said openend to form an air container therewith, said diaphragm having a centrally disposed locating opening, means to mount the casing for pivotal movement relative to one of the vehicle parts, and means lfastened to said'diaphragm and having a portion intertting with'said openingy to mount the diaphragm on the other vehicle part and locate itrelative thereto. Y

ll. A diaphragm for pneu-matic devices comprising a thin flexible disk of air impervious material having a plurality of lay- 'ers of reinforcing cords, the cords in each layer lbeing substantially parallel and extending acrossthe diaphragm, and the sets j of' cordsv in each layer lying ont of contact with those in adjacent layers and being angularly arranged relative thereto.

1Q. A diaphragm' for pneumatic devices comprising a thin flexible disk of air impervious rubber material having a plurality of layers of reinforcing cords embedded therein, the cords in each layer being arranged paralleland those'in one-layer lying at an angle less than 90 to those in the adjacent layer. .y

13. A diaphragm disk for pneumatic devices having spaced openings adjacent its periphery and comprising a flexible, air impervious material having a plurality of non contiguous layers of reinforcing cords em- 

